On May 27, Wuchang Shipbuilding and Ningbo Ocean Shipping signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement along with a shipbuilding contract for "4+2" 1,900 TEU containerships.

On March 31 this year, Ningbo Ocean Shipping announced its intention to invest a sum not exceeding RMB 1.7 billion (approx. US$234 million) in the construction of 4+2 1,900 TEU containerships. The company has since completed the tendering process for the shipbuilder, with Wuchang Shipbuilding emerging as the successful bidder.

The series of containerships has been designed by the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI). With an overall length of approximately 171.95 metres and a moulded breadth of 27.5 metres, the vessels are precisely tailored to meet the transport demands of shallow-water ports and narrow waterways in the Asian region. Combining low fuel consumption, high energy efficiency, and strong cargo-carrying advantages, they fully comply with the EEDI Phase III green energy efficiency standards and represent a model example of green, intelligent feeder containerships.

Under the agreement, the two parties will focus on four core areas: shipbuilding cooperation, joint research and development of green and smart vessels, full lifecycle services and supply chain coordination, and market expansion and joint brand building. The aim is to establish a deep strategic partnership characterized by resource sharing, complementary advantages, and mutual benefit.

Ningbo Ocean Shipping is the first domestically listed port and shipping company to have been carved out from a parent A-share listed entity and is the largest container liner company in Zhejiang Province. A benchmark enterprise in the port and shipping sector, it operates a multi-tiered shipping network covering "international near-sea, domestic coastal, and Yangtze River inland waterway" routes, with services reaching 49 major ports worldwide. Leveraging its robust market operational capabilities and fleet renewal strategy, the company continues to spearhead the high-quality development of regional shipping.

According to Alphaliner data, Ningbo Ocean Shipping ranks 23rd globally among the top 100 liner companies, with a fleet of 92 containerships and a total capacity of 93,324 TEU, comprising 49 owned vessels and 43 chartered vessels, alongside approximately 16 newbuildings on order.

Founded in 1934, Wuchang Shipbuilding is deeply rooted in the core currents of China's shipbuilding industry development, combining a heritage of quality with innovative strength. Supported by top-tier innovation platforms such as a state-level enterprise technology centre and a post-doctoral scientific research workstation, the shipyard possesses deep expertise in the feeder containership segment, having formed a complete industrial chain encompassing research and development, design, batch construction, and full lifecycle service, and is a core force in global feeder containership construction.

In recent years, Wuchang Shipbuilding has delivered multiple batches of high-value-added containerships. From the completion of a series of six 1,100 TEU containerships, to the efficient execution of orders for nine containerships (five 1,100 TEU and four 1,800 TEU), and now to the successful securing of this 4+2 1,900 TEU contract with Ningbo Ocean Shipping, the shipyard's core strengths in rhythmic construction, high-quality delivery, and green, intelligent upgrades have secured its position among the top tier of domestic feeder containership batch builders, earning it widespread trust from global shipowners.